Trey Anastasio Band
Trey Anastasio began his career as the guitarist and vocalist for the band Phish, and has won acclaim in the rock, classical and theatre circles. He has received GRAMMY® nominations for his recordings with Phish and for his solo work. Anastasio has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, among others. In 2013, he was nominated for a Tony Award and two Drama Desk Awards for the original score of the Broadway musical Hands on a Hardbody. Since 1998, Trey Anastasio has toured and recorded with several musicians, commonly referred to as Trey Anastasio Band, or TAB for short. The lineup features drummer Russ Lawton, bassist Dezron Douglas, and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, percussionist Cyro Baptista, augmented by a full horn section, including trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman, multi-instrumentalist James Casey, and longtime TAB trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick. Last year saw Trey Anastasio Band release a new live album, Burn It Down, that captured the explosive eight-piece band on their January 2020 tour. The 15-song collection shows TAB at the peak of its powers, combining their trademark tight musicianship with unbounded performances. Burn It Down is available now at all digital outlets, and will be released on plasma orange vinyl on August 20. Preorder: https://linktr.ee/treyanastasio
The String Cheese Incident
Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 10 albums, 6 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 20 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music. When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms. Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band. The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.
Umphrey’s McGee
YOU WALKED UP SHAKING IN YOUR BOOTS BUT YOU STOOD TALL AND LEFT A RAGING BULL is the latest achievement in the career of Umphrey’s McGee, adding to 2,200+ gigs and 250 million+ tracks streamed. You-had-to-be-there moments include the band’s performance at the first-ever Bonnaroo and selling more CDs (remember those?) than any other act on the bill. A leader in the live music world, Umphrey’s McGee became the first group to launch its own single-artist streaming service with UMLive.net, which houses recordings of every gig since 2005. The service has since grown and now lives on through Nugs.net, which is used by the likes of Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and more. Beyond intimate backstage encounters and ski trips with their most diehard fans, Umphrey’s McGee instituted the groundbreaking “Headphones & Snowcones” program, granting fans access to professional headphones and a soundboard-quality mix to listen wirelessly at shows. At their UMBowl, they empowered the audience to vote on the setlist in real-time and choose favorite improv themes via text message. In 2017, they stepped into another realm altogether by integrating themselves into the VR Platform Endless Riff. The wonders, it seems, never cease. From their initial bar gigs in 1998 to repeatedly playing three-night runs to packed crowds at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the group has simultaneously remained intensely committed to their fans.
GOOSE
Goose—Rick Mitarotonda [vocals, guitar], Peter Anspach [vocals, keys, guitar], Trevor Weekz [bass], Ben Atkind [drums], and Jeff Arevalo [vocals, percussion, drums] - fluidly traverse genres with head-spinning hooks, technical fireworks, and the kind of chemistry only possible among small-town and long-time friends. Following 2016’s moon cabin, the Norwalk, CT quintet quietly took flight, playing countless shows during their ascent, while slowly and steadily amassing a nationwide following.
Thievery Corporation
Twenty-five years into their genre-defying electronic music career, Thievery Corporation’s founding principles of D.I.Y. and inclusion have become key themes in mainstream social conversation. After a dozen highly acclaimed full-length albums, remix LPs, concert recordings, and over two decades of incendiary live performances that have thrilled audiences worldwide, Thievery Corporation’s music and message is more relevant and important now than ever. That lack of filter enabled Garza and Hilton to mine their musical inspirations and create one of the most unique bodies of work in electronic music, respectfully incorporating tastes of international cultural styles, without ever falling into the trap of cultural appropriation. “We always wondered: with so much incredible music in the world, why would anyone limit themselves to one genre? Well, we found out – it’s far easier to stay in one lane than to genre hop!” laughs Hilton. Garza elaborates: “When we started, we were influenced by music from all over the world, flipping through bins in second hand record stores for LP’s from Brazil, India, Iran, Jamaica, jazz records…..we wanted to make music where you didn’t know whether it was recorded today or a decade ago.” Thievery Corporation’s music has always looked toward the future while paying homage to the past, starting with their groundbreaking debut LP, 1996’s “Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi,” which both introduced the world to Garza and Hilton as producers and set their course as pioneers of song-based electronic music with wildly diverse vocalists. The band’s legendary D.C. headquarters, the Eighteenth Street Lounge, became an epicenter for a diverse group of people and staff from all over the world, which in turn had a profound influence on their musical output. “D.C. was very cosmopolitan, lots of places to see international live music and jazz,” says Garza. “We’d run into people from all over the world and invite them to play with us – so Thievery became an extension of that, both on our records and in our live performances.” Indeed, Hilton and Garza’s “Outernational” approach created a world reflected by the artist’s ideals of diversity and acceptance. “25 years after we started, it seems like the world is catching up,” Garza opines. “Social consciousness is more mainstream, awareness of the importance of inclusivity…it’s so encouraging to see so many people working towards these goals in America.” Hilton agrees. “Thievery is a reflection of who we are, it evolved from our musical tastes. Artists who were for the people, like The Clash, Fela Kuti, Manu Chao were so important to us, and engaging in social ideas has always been a part of what we’ve tried to do.” People don’t refer to Thievery Corporation as “World Music,” but it’s safe to say that their music and ethos is global in its scope and ahead of its time at every turn. In a live setting, Thievery Corporation avoids any electronic dance music tropes. Yes, you’ll dance, sweat and put your hands in the air….but their concerts are true performances, with a killer band of players and an array of vocalists from diverse global cultures. No two shows feel the same. “Our shows are VERY live, lots of energy, the com-bination of multiple instruments and singers that take you on a musical journey,” says Garza. “We have a sitar player, songs are in different languages – it’s a multicultural experience, people connect to the band and to each other, it’s beautiful.” With a world cautiously beginning to emerge from isolation and towards communal events, Garza is eager to return Thievery Corporation to live performance. “I feel like people have been waiting to celebrate together after being forced apart for too long. We’re all craving that.” Eric Hilton’s presence at Thievery gigs, however, has become an increasingly rare event. “I never really embraced touring; some of the world tours were interesting, seeing new places and cultures,” he says. “For me, touring was tourism. The creative process of making music is more my thing.” And Thievery Corporation have brought the sounds of the world to listeners throughout each of their albums. “There are so many highlights for me. 2014’s Saudade is my favorite record that we’ve done, a real creative stretch for us. Quiet music is hard to make! Symphonik also. To hear our music done with an orchestra was incredible.” Hilton concedes that over time live performance influenced the studio records. “After Cosmic Game (2011), we orchestrated jam sessions and built the records from those. For Temple of I and I (2014), we went to Jamaica to jam and record, which gave that record a different feel and authenticity.” Looking back over their career, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton acknowledge that what drives each of them may be different, but the mashup of personalities, sounds, cultures and experiences birthed something wholly unique. “We love all kinds of music, which is why Thievery Corporation sounds the way it does,” the founding partners agree. “We couldn’t possibly incorporate all our tastes into the music, but we do it more than most.” By not following trends or the whims of major labels, and embracing the cultural diversities that make the world such a wondrous place, Thievery Corporation has created a legacy that runs deep and continues to expand. “Over 25 years, we’ve left nothing undone. We far exceeded what we thought we would do,” Hilton and Garza agree. And Thievery Corporation’s music will continue on to reverberate and influence the next generation of listeners with an ear toward a global musical experience.
SNARKY PUPPY
“Maybe you didn’t notice, but this is Snarky Puppy’s world, and the rest of us only live in it." - The New York Times The last seven years have brought dramatic changes for Snarky Puppy. After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all four of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016,2017 and 2021), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.” Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 25 members in regular rotation. They each maintain busy schedules as sidemen, producers and solo artists (many of whom are on the band’s indy label, GroundUP Music). At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada and the United Kingdom all have representation in the group’s membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy’s music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively. Joys and struggles have certainly been a part of the Snarky Puppy saga. Formed in 2003, bassist/composer Michael League established the band as an undergrad looking towards his fellow student musicians he also counted as friends, as well as the gospel and R&B pros they’d been playing with regularly near Dallas. Over the following decade and a half, through the ingenuity of their ideas and the sheer fortitude of their work ethic, League and Snarky Puppy would become one of the most significant crossover successes in recent jazz and instrumental-music history—playing to packed-out theaters and earning mainstage sets at major music festivals, and garnering coverage in high-profile outlets. “Snarky Puppy, the jumbo-size brainchild of bassist-composer Michael League, is one of the more versatile groups on the planet right now,” Rolling Stone said in 2016.
JJ Grey & Mofro
From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions. His presence before an audience is something startling and immediate, at times a funk rave-up, other times a sort of mass-absolution for the mortal weaknesses that make him and his audience human. When you see JJ Grey and his band Mofro live — and you truly, absolutely must — the man is fearless.
Lotus
Lotus has always been difficult to define musically. An instrumental jamband that stayed away from the goofy and gimmicky, they have favored groove-based improvisation instead of gaudy solos and noodling. Influences of classic electronic dance music, funk, post-rock and dance-rock have all made their way into the Lotus sound. Over the years, their unique musical blend of electronica with jam music has helped forge a new path in the jamband landscape, influencing many younger bands in the scene. The long-running quintet have returned in 2020 with Free Swim, which pays homage to the greats of music’s past, built on the bones of what the five members of Lotus listen to and have absorbed over time. In similar fashion to the old-school way of making mixtapes on cassette, where the best always managed to surprise with each new song while still sharing a similar DNA, the 10 songs on Free Swim are not boxed in by any genre or tonal palette, but the shared molecular grid is joy and wonder. It’s an eclectic and groovy instrumental mix of funk, disco, jazz and psychedelia, packed with catchy melodies and killer grooves looking to bring happiness to listeners. “Luke named the track ‘Free Swim’ and I thought it also made a great album name,” explains Jesse. “Free swim can be read a couple of different ways, but I think both can apply to Lotus’s music. The first brings me back to childhood when my mom would drive myself and four brothers to the public pool. The free swim time was pure, unrestrained joy as we soared off the diving boards and burned off excess energy swimming for hours in the summers. The second reading is becoming free while swimming. I picture the feeling of weightlessness in open water in some beautiful, remote location. When we write for Lotus, we try to use the energy of a live show to guide our arrangements. I always hope it can take people to a place that feels joyous, energized and free.” Free Swim mines dance grooves from soulful funk to dirty disco to build instrumental songs with a signature Lotus sound. The album, the follow-up to the band’s 2018 audio and video album experience Frames Per Second and 10th full-length studio album overall, not including their multiple live, EP and remix collections, was written and produced by the group’s Jesse and Luke Miller and recorded in early 2020 at Spice House Sound in Philadelphia. Free Swim opens with lead single “Catacombs,” inviting listeners to descend into the depths of groovy-funky jazz. From “Catacombs” to the vintage funk of “Sepia Rainbow” and “Earl of Grey” and the head-bopping cosmic disco tune “Bjorn Gets A Haircut,” Free Swim will make you want to move. The first incarnation of Lotus came together for a music showcase in 1998 at Goshen College in Indiana. Albums such as their debut studio release, Nomad (2006) have become a touchstone for how to organically fuse elements of electronica with jam music. Now two decades together, Lotus has toured actively throughout the US working their way up from dingy basement clubs to world-class venues such as Red Rocks. They've become festival favorites, playing everything from Bonnaroo, Camp Bisco and Outside Lands to Ultra Music Festival and Electric Forest, building a hyper-loyal following along the way. The band also hosts their own annual SummerDance Festival in Garrettsville, Ohio. A Lotus live show is an experience, a uniquely crafted and improvised set taking everyone, the crowd and band, on a journey.
Spafford
Spafford is remarkable for their mastery of the art of anticipation, seamless transitions, intoxicating crescendos, and sublime peaks. Their off-the-cuff extended jams create an unpredictable and unforgettable musical experience. By listening to each other and communicating through private signals in sound, together on stage the band weaves a live sonic tapestry that is a perfect blend of complex compositions, beautiful songwriting, and extended improvisation. The band’s rousing energy is matched by Brian, Jordan, Red, and Nick’s outstanding talent, versatility of playing styles, and extensive catalogue of original music and innovative covers. In their ten years together, the band has solidified itself among the most creative and hard-traveled bands on the contemporary jam scene. Each Spafford show is a sensory expedition of extended jams—an interplay of lights, tones, cascading melodies, and balance that carries a ceaselessly-dancing crowd through the night. There is so much to hear, to feel, to love in what happens between the guys on stage, within the crowd, and between the band and its fans.
Lawrence
“The brother/sister musical phenomenon you need to hear.” - Affinity “Lawrence is already a force to reckon with — and they’re only getting started.” - LadyGunn “The rich nine-piece arrangements pay tribute to Motown, Muscle Shoals, and everything in between…” - Relix Magazine “Soul-Pop duo on the edge of a breakthrough.” - Popdust "Lawrence have been capturing the hearts and ears of listeners all over the world with their addictive and infectious sonic stylings that are impossible not to love." - The Stumble Upon "A bright and buoyant pocketful of pop-soul sunshine, Lawrence’s new single “Don’t Lose Sight” promises to put a spring in your step and a smile on your face." - Atwood Magazine "Between the bombastic synth-meets-brass-combo arrangement and the Lawrence siblings’ stellar vocal performances—Clyde’s voice has a tremendously soulful character to it, Gracie’s is stunningly nimble and expressive—“Don’t Lose Sight” is a testament to the years-long journey that led to this moment." - American Songwriter As NPR writes, “siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence are not your typical pair.” Clyde Lawrence and Gracie Lawrence have been writing songs and listening to countless Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, and Aretha Franklin records in their family’s New York City apartment since they were little kids. After years of playing together, they officially created Lawrence, an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of musician friends from childhood and college. The band has since gained a devoted following for its high-energy, keyboard-driven sound, which features tight, energetic horns, explosive lead vocals, and fully-live arrangements. In June 2019, Lawrence became the first band to sign with Beautiful Mind Records, the label of Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/artist Jon Bellion, and within a few months embarked as support on Bellion’s Summer 2019 Glory Sound Prep Tour. Lawrence has since released the Bellion-produced singles “Casualty” (performed live on NBC’s Today Show), “It’s Not All About You,” “The Weather,” “Freckles,” and “Don’t Lose Sight,” which have garnered tens of millions of streams across all platforms and have had multiple viral moments on Tik Tok and Instagram. The singles are a part of the band’s new album, Hotel TV, which is out now and will be performed on their 2021 Fall headline tour. The signing to Beautiful Mind followed the release of Lawrence’s sophomore album, Living Room. Upon its release in September of 2018, Living Room promptly reached #2 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart, earned a featured placement on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist, and led the band to its late-night television debut on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly. Co-produced by bandmates Jordan Cohen and Jonny Koh, as well as Brooklyn-based producer Eli Crews and Clyde and Gracie themselves, Living Room chronicles the trials and tribulations of growing up, including break-ups, make-ups, a family loss, and the attempt to find harmony between excitement, anxiety, melancholy, and empowerment. Lawrence first rose to prominence in 2016 when they released their debut LP Breakfast (2016), which received attention and praise from a variety of sources ranging from NPR’s All Things Considered to Stephen Curry’s social media. Produced by Grammy Award winner Eric Krasno (Lettuce/Tedeschi Trucks/Soulive), Breakfast includes guest performances by NYC soul/funk mainstays Adam Deitch (Lettuce), Cory Henry (Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles, Snarky Puppy), and Maurice “Mobetta” Brown (Anderson .Paak, Tedeschi Trucks Band). Lawrence has sold out headline shows across the country and appeared at festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Firefly, Okeechobee, Hangout, and many more. The band has also opened for notable acts such as Lake Street Dive, Vulfpeck, Jon Bellion, Soulive, Jacob Collier, Blues Traveler, O.A.R, Bernhoft, and others. In addition to the band, Clyde and Gracie have also amassed considerable resumes with other artistic pursuits. Clyde has written songs and score for film and television, including Disney’s Noelle (2019), Steven Spielberg’s Animaniacs (2020), Landline (2017), The Rewrite (2015), Music and Lyrics (2007), and even Miss Congeniality (2000), for which he wrote the theme song at age five. Gracie is an accomplished actress, appearing as a series regular alongside John Caroll Lynch, Leslie Odom Jr., and Sturgill Simpson in the CBS All-Access murder mystery One Dollar. Gracie has also appeared on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs (2009), in films such as The Sitter (2011) and Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009), and in tv shows including The Good Wife (2012), The Americans (2014), and Younger (2015).
Big Something
Fusing elements of rock, pop, funk, and improvisation, Big Something takes listeners on a journey through a myriad of musical styles. It's no secret why this group has quickly become one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Southeast. Huge rhythms paired with soaring guitars, E.W.I (electronic wind instrument), synths, horns and alluring vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a sound that has landed the band marquee appearances at Bonnaroo, Peach Music Festival, Lock'n, Summer Camp and Electric Forest as well as critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Guitar World, Glide Magazine and Jambase. With 6 full-length studio albums produced by Grammy-nominee John Custer, and even their own Summer music festival The Big What?, the band has carved out their own niche in the live music community and continues to grow nationally with sold out headlining performances throughout the United States.
Too Many Zooz
Too Many Zooz are a busking phenomenon born in the subways of New York City. Their unique sound somehow manages to smash together jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk and even EDM structures and house music. They have racked up millions of views of their amazing live videos on YouTube. Beyonce enlisted the band to perform on the songs ‘Daddy Lessons’ and ‘Formation’ from her tour de force Lemonade which was nominated for the Grammy for Album of the Year. In 2016 the band performed with Beyonce and The Dixie Chicks at the internationally-broadcast CMA Awards. This year Too Many Zooz even performed in a Google Pixel 2 commercial. Too Many Zooz rise continues… Too Many Zooz are a busking phenomenon born in the subways of New York City. Their unique sound somehow manages to smash together jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk and even EDM structures and house music. They have racked up millions of views of their amazing live videos on YouTube. Beyonce enlisted the band to perform on the songs ‘Daddy Lessons’ and ‘Formation’ from her tour de force Lemonade which was nominated for the Grammy for Album of the Year. In 2016 the band performed with Beyonce and The Dixie Chicks at the internationally-broadcast CMA Awards and 2017 saw a world-wide commercial for the Google Pixle 2 featuring Too Many Zooz music and performance. The band signed to Ministry of Sound/Sony in early 2018 and their song Warriors has been getting significant play on BBC’s Radio One and been named Tune of the Week by the highly regarded BBC DJ Annie Mac and Best Song In The World by BBC DJ Greg James.
The Movement
The Movement has been winning the hearts and minds of alternative-reggae fans since their inception in Columbia, SC in 2003. Drawing inspiration from Sublime, 311, Slightly Stoopid and John Brown’s Body, they’ve made a name for themselves as reggae shapeshifters with a foundation of heavy drum and bass. Today the band consists of founding member, lead vocalist and guitarist Joshua Swain, bassist Jason Schmidt, drummer Gary Jackson, and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Matt Goodwin. Their sixth studio album, Ways Of The World, dropped on June 7, 2019, debuting at #1 in the Billboard Reggae Chart, and remained in the Billboard Reggae Top 10 for more than 40 consecutive weeks. The Movement’s new single "Sounds of Summer" feat. Slightly Stoopid was released June 25, 2021 and racked up more than 100k streams in the first 24 hours. Their seventh full length album is coming Spring 2022.
Doom Flamingo
Doom Flamingo is a six-headed synthwave beast with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde element to the songwriting. Top Gun guitar riffs and Miami Beach poolside lounge-vibes, are all at once contrasted with eerie dark synth soundscapes reminiscent of old John Carpenter films. Doom Flamingo came together organically through friendships and past collaborations in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. The sextet features bassist Ryan Stasik, of the prolific rock band Umphrey’s McGee, alongside a cast of powerhouse musicians. Dynamic vocalist, Kanika Moore, sets the project into hyperdrive.
Badfish
The phenomenon known as Sublime, arguably the most energetic, original and uniquely eclectic band to emerge from any scene, anywhere, ended with the untimely death of lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Brad Nowell in May of 1996. But encompassing the sense of place and purpose long associated with Sublime’s music, Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime continues to channel the spirit of Sublime with a fury not felt for some time. What separates Badfish from other tribute bands is that they have replicated Sublime’s essence, developing a scene and dedicated following most commonly reserved for label- driven, mainstream acts. Badfish make their mark on the audience by playing with the spirit of Sublime. They perform not as Sublime would have, or did, but as Badfish does!
BoomBox ft. BackBeat Brass
A little house, a little blues, a little funk, a little rock, and a whole lot of soul blast through BoomBox. Since first emerging in 2004, founder, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Zion Rock Godchaux has been quietly seasoning and simmering this recipe to perfection. At the same time, the Muscle Shoals, AL native stays true to what attracted countless fans in the first place. “I remain open to anything you would hear coming out of a boombox,” he explains. “You hear about different forms of magic around the world,” he goes on. “The West, in general, has its own voodoo influenced by the blues. That’s what shaped me as a musician growing up in this country. It’s hard to put in the words, but you know it when you hear it.” You hear it in everything that BoomBox has done thus far. Over the course of five albums, the group has become a streaming favorite with numerous tracks clocking in the millions of plays on Spotify. Moreover, they’ve made audiences groove everywhere from Electric Forest and Hangout Music Festival to High Sierra Music Festival and Red Rocks. In the spring of 2019 Zion enlisted his “brother from the same mother” Kinsman MacKay to embark on BoomBox’s most exciting configuration to date. “There’s a special kind of chemistry between two brothers playing music together,” Zion explains. “Since 2003 we’d get together and make tracks just for fun, and realized we had a strong connection in the studio.” The two always knew they would work on a project together someday, and when the doors opened up logistically in 2019, it was the natural move for the brothers to take form as BoomBox. BoomBox debuted their live horn section called “The BackBeat Brass” in the fall of 2019 to great reception. “It’s like these songs are my children that I’ve been raising for the past 15 years, and with the addition of the horns it feels like seeing them again for the very first time” says Godchaux. The Backbeat Brass, led by trumpet artist Nic Chaffee of Delta Nove, will be featured on select shows, bringing a classic live horn sound filtered through an array of psychedelic sounds and elements.
Town Mountain
Raw, soulful, and with plenty of swagger, Town Mountain has earned raves for their hard-driving sound, their in-house songwriting and the honky-tonk edge that permeates their exhilarating live performances, whether in a packed club or at a sold-out festival. The hearty base of Town Mountain's music is the first and second generation of bluegrass spiced with country, old school rock ‘n’ roll, and boogie-woogie. It's what else goes into the mix that brings it all to life both on stage and on record and reflects the group's wide-ranging influences – from the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia and the ethereal lyrics of Robert Hunter, to the honest, vintage country of Willie, Waylon, and Merle. The Bend Bulletin’s Brian McElhiney says Town Mountain, “has serious country and rock ’n’ roll DNA.” Town Mountain features guitarist and vocalist Robert Greer, banjoist Jesse Langlais, mandolinist Phil Barker, fiddler Bobby Britt, and Zach Smith on bass. Town Mountain's latest album New Freedom Blues (October 2018) is their second consecutive album to debut in the top 10 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart, and receive multiple worthy mentions by Rolling Stone, No Depression, and more. Full of new material and featuring several guest artists including Tyler Childers and Miles Miller (Sturgill Simpson, drummer), they prove they have staying power by regularly cranking out authentic hit albums. Which they intend on doing again as they west back into the studio this past June (2021) to record their 6th full length album of original material to be released in early 2022. The impression the band has made on fans is clear through their social media engagement, top tier festival appearances, and Spotify streams (9+ million).
The Nth Power Ft. Jennifer Hartswick
Proving that soul music can be exponentially greater than the sum of its parts, The Nth Power is on a mission to share the light. Formed during an impromptu late-night jam at Jazz Fest 2012 in New Orleans, the relentlessly funky and soulful band believes in music as a higher power tapping into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance, groove, make love or just stand there with goose bumps. The trio hails from diverse musical backgrounds, races and creeds. Female powerhouse Nikki Glaspie was Beyonce’s world-touring drummer for five years before she joined Ivan Nevilles New Orleans funk outfit, Dumpstaphunk. Bassist Nate Edgar of Groovechild and John Browns Body perfectly compliments singer and guitarist Nick Cassarino who came from the Jennifer Hartswick Band and toured with Big Daddy Kane. The Nth Power's 2013 independent EP, Basic Minimum Skills Test, showcases a first glimpse of the spark shared among the group, delivering gospel-style vocals with soul, jazz, funk and world-beat riffs in nearly mathematical fashion. They have followed up that release with a studio album in 2015 "Abundance" produced by Ira Schickman and live release "To Be Free" in 2016 recorded and mixed by Paul Diaz. “It’s my dream team,” said Glaspie, “each one of us is a songwriter, so when we get together, everything becomes that much stronger.” Beyond raw skill, however, Glaspie cites a deep spiritual connection as the glue that binds them together. “Music is what brought us together, but its the spiritual bond that makes us play so in touch with each other,” she explained. And at the core of their vibe is a deviously simple concept the healing power of love. The Nth Power's inspirational sets have floored audiences at music festivals like Electric Forest, Bear Creek, Catskill Chill and North Coast Music Festival. The band has been relentlessly touring and writing for the past 4 years since their inception and continue to grow in their mission as they spread love and healing through music across the land. Although the band members are based across the East Coast, they maintain New Orleans as their spiritual home, and the celebratory essence of that city’s music culture is audible in each performance. Simply put, there is something pretty magical happening in this band, and they’re only just getting started. “Were going as far as you can go on the planet Earth and playing music,” explains Glaspie, “I don’t know how many times we’ve said it we are so blessed.” Together, The Nth Power wants to change lives through a message of musical love and understanding.
Tropidelic
“Every single second is a blessing if you count them all,” sings frontman Matthew Roads. You can hear the sincerity in his voice; the joie de vivre that oozes from everything Tropidelic does is apparent. When they take a stage, their synergy flows member to member – horns blow, knees kicked high and grins are passed from one man to the next. Almost immediately, it spreads to the crowd, lifting hands in the air as their feet begin to move. The pulse collectively becomes that of one. The six-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio may be far from any tropical islands, but that doesn’t stop them from dishing out an interesting mix of reggae, hip-hop, and high energy funk for audiences across the country. Unapologetically original, Tropidelic has a deep and widespread appreciation for music that can be heard in each note. Some of the members are hip-hop heads, while others are into metal, funk or reggae. Each of these genres lends something to their collective sound. “We pride ourselves in being original in our musicality and personality as a band,” says Roads, “but also in not taking ourselves so seriously that it ruins the fun.” Quickly elevating themselves in the live circuit, Tropidelic can be found spreading their soulful sound across the country in both intimate venues and music festivals, having shared the stage with and supported such acts as 311, Slightly Stoopid, The Dirty Heads, Pepper, The Flobots and Wookiefoot. Previously, Tropidelic has been featured at Electric Forest, California Roots Music & Art Festival, Reggae Rise Up, Warped Tour and 311 Caribbean Cruise, as well as the host of their own annual Freakstomp Music Festival. Following on the success of their 2019 release, Here in the Heights, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard reggae charts, Tropidelic has released a series of impressive singles featuring guest appearances from Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, Devin the Dude and Shwayze. These singles have amassed over five million streams in 2020, and they are featured on their latest album, Of Illusion, which debuted on November 13th, 2020. Of Illusion was released on Billboard’s number one reggae label, Ineffable Records. Tropidelic has put in their ten thousand hours, and they have arrived on the national scene to the delight of their ever growing and rapturous fans.
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer
Eighteen-year-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true. Having performed in some of the most legendary venues in America with many of the most prominent musicians of our time, the young guitarist, singer, and songwriter has already earned himself quite the reputation. It all started at eight years old, when Brandon watched the movie School of Rock. Already inspired by his father’s record collection, Brandon instantly realized he was destined to play guitar. From that moment on, his guitar rarely left his hands. Just four years later, Brandon was cast in the principal role of guitarist “Zack Mooneyham” in the Tony Award-nominated Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway production, School of Rock the Musical. Based in New York City, Brandon has had the opportunity to play with many of his musical idols. In recent years, he’s shared the stage with multiple members of the Allman Brothers Band, including Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Butch Trucks, and Oteil Burbridge, as well as a variety of other notable musicians, including Buddy Guy, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga, Slash, Jon Batiste, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Gales, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Dr. John, Gary Clark Jr., Col. Bruce Hampton, Eric Krasno, George Porter Jr., Robert Randolph, Karl Denson, Doug Wimbish, and John Popper. He has also performed with Tedeschi Trucks Band, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, The Revivalists, Dumpstaphunk, Blackberry Smoke, Galactic, and countless other bands. Since making his national television debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show at just ten years old, Brandon has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, and The View. In 2018, Brandon reunited with Andrew Lloyd Webber, performing in January with Sarah Brightman at The Phantom of the Opera’s 30th Anniversary celebration, and in April alongside Sara Bareilles, Alice Cooper, and John Legend in NBC’s live broadcast production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Brandon is currently featured in Spike Lee’s Netflix series, She’s Gotta Have It, and performs concerts for audiences across the country and around the world.
Kitchen Dwellers
Kitchen Dwellers twist bluegrass, folk, and rock through a kaleidoscope of homegrown stories, rich mythology, American west wanderlust, and psychedelic hues. The Montana quartet—Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]—have captivated audiences at hallowed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and performed alongside everyone from Railroad Earth and Twiddle to The Infamous String Dusters in addition to playing festivals such as Northwest String Summit, WinterWonderGrass, and more. They’ve released two critically acclaimed albums—Ghost In The Bottle [2017] and Muir Maid [2019]—and a live record, Live from the Wilma [2021]. In the middle of the Global Pandemic, they broke up 2020 with an EP of Pink Floyd covers entitled Reheated, Vol. 2. It was heralded by a two-night livestream concert, Live From The Cabin, beamed out to audiences from the Bridger Mountains. Additionally, they appeared at the Live From Out, their virtual festival and even took over a drive-in movie theater for an in-person gig in between regular writing sessions together throughout the year. After amassing 5 million-plus streams, selling out shows, and receiving acclaim from Huffington Post, Relix, American Songwriter, and more, the group brings audiences back to Big Sky Country on their third full-length album, Wise River, working with Cory Wong of Vulfpeck as producer.
Neighbor
With a diverse catalog of hundreds of songs, the musical juggernaut Neighbor has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable live bands on the music scene today. Grown in large part by the passion and devotion of the fans called Neighbors, their symbiotic relationship inspires and touches every performance. The creation of childhood neighbors Richard James (vocals, keys) and Lyle Brewer (guitar), Neighbor combines ambitious composition, soulful balladry, and a fearless approach to their lengthy improvisations. The quartet is rounded out by Dan Kelly (bass) and Dean Johnston (drums) who fuel the groove and lay a solid foundation for Neighbor’s “down home” sound. Come see what’s good in the neighborhood.
DENM
With the release of his genre-hopping debut album, Slum Beach Denny, it’s time to add DENM to the storied list of Southern California’s musical ambassadors. And like his most recent predecessors- Slightly Stoopid and Sublime- the twenty-something musician, songwriter, and producer drops plenty of hazy daze optimism into his melting pot of youth culture and life experience, emerging with a 21st century soundtrack from SoCal’s sun-kissed sand, surf, and streets. “It might look overnight to some people,” says DENM, “but I’ve been working.” Working, first as a producer, most recently as a songwriter and musician, DENM has been a highly sought-after creative force in the indie music scene for over a decade. He’s evolved, thankfully and successfully, from years as an admittedly troubled teen bouncing from beach town to beach town. And, as much as itinerant residencies in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Isla Vista marked his personal narrative, they also fostered deeply authentic and eclectic sources of inspiration for the budding artist. DENM taught himself guitar at 14, studying Jimmy Page on Led Zeppelin II, replicating every lick on his Alvarez acoustic- “the sickest present ever” from his mother. He devoured YouTube videos on production techniques and, in 2017, found kindred spirits in the Rock Mafia duo of producers, Tim James and Antonina Armato. He constantly grinded out new material, trusted constructive feedback from Rock Mafia, and chose positive vibes as motivation. “Instead of trying to prove people wrong, I want to make sure that the people that believed in me are right.” Utilizing his “ghetto set-up,” recording wherever the muse took him, DENM began crafting his own repertoire. He built a personal studio- in a shipping container, no less- in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he assembled his raw tracks. Then, in Los Angeles with Rock Mafia, he polished his prospective cuts into gems. DENM’s songs were notably genuine and reflective, not just autobiographically, but of the multicultural influences that surrounded him; revealing, if not celebrating, the seedier side of SoCal. They also attracted a host of admiring peers; Dirty Heads’ Jared Watson, for one, guested on the album’s lead single, the reggae/punk cruiser “Califas.” A devotedly independent artist, DENM signed with Ineffable Records in 2020; a strategic partnership that enables Slum Beach Denny to reach his ever-widening audience. For DENM, this first record is an immense source of pride; his coming-of-age moment. “Everything was fully realized: the vision; the mission. I wanted to make a soundtrack of life that everyone can experience: falling in love; good times; hard times; a little bit of everything.” And it’s just the beginning. “Expect more out of me. I’m going to write about my life. I’m going to write about make-believe. Whatever. We’re just getting started. Slum Beach Denny is album one,” says DENM. “I’m living every day. There’s inspiration everywhere. I’m expecting to do this for the rest of my life.” CONTACT MANAGEMENT Christian Brandmeyer
Kanika Moore + The Psycodelics
Kanika Moore is an undeniable force in the Charleston, SC music scene, where she’s found a home with electro pop band Doom Flamingo and tribute band Motown Throwdown. With all of the different genres and influences that have shaped Moore, there has always been one thing about music that has stood out to her the most. “Most of all, I love the different ways music makes me feel,” says Moore. Not only does Moore enjoy the way music makes her feel, but she wants the crowd to be moved as well. She has captured the moving rhythms of soul music and intertwined them with her own unique voice. Her original tone and seamless effort is almost impossible to ignore, and this is quite possibly the reason she was named the Charleston City Paper‘s Soul/R&B Act of the Year. “Those little things that make your voice unique and strong, don’t lose that,” says Moore. The Psycodelics are a local Charleston Funk, Soul, R&B, Hip Hop super group featuring Noah Jones (keys), Cameron “Caminator” Wescott (bass), Whitt Burn (guitar), Sean Bing (drums), and Demario Kitt (drums) - Some of their key influences are Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown, J Dilla, and Prince.
Hedonistas
Hedonistas is a five-piece soul/pop/rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2018, they released their debut record, The Way Things Were, highlighted by Vulfpeck’s Cory Wong sitting in on their hit song “On the Run.” Their energetic performances propelled them to several sold out shows in Georgia, as well as spots on music festivals across the southeast. Their latest EP, Bad Decisions, was released March 15, 2021.
Butcher Brown
Pulsing from the nerve center of Jellowstone Studios in Richmond VA, Butcher Brown takes careful note of the history and legacy of jazz and throws caution to the wind. Their musical vibe blends jazz with hip hop, funk, rap, rock and soul. The group honors each musical genre and, at the same time, challenges traditional musical boundaries. The result is their most exciting collection of tracks to date. Butcher Brown features Tennishu, Morgan Burrs, Corey Fonville, Andrew Randazzo, and DJ Harrison.
Sexbruise?
Sexbruise? is a satirical pop band from Charleston, SC that combines elements of improvisation, electronic music, poppy hooks, and audience participation to create an unforgettable live experience. Despite their extreme wealth and lavish lifestyle, Sexbruise? grew up on a dirt road right down the street from Pappy’s Hardware Shop, and subsequently is very in tune with the struggles and plight of middle America. Sexbruise?’s shows can be described as a giant party. The tunes are memorable, the stage presence exciting, and the antics unpredictable. And there are snacks. Thrown from the stage. The band has prepared pancakes and pizza on stage, brought out dancers in animal costumes, hired fake demonstrators to protest their shows, and many more other cool things.
Certainly So
Hailing from Birmingham, AL, childhood friends Tanner Gray and Colby Wilson have been writing music together for over 10 years, and the two have drawn inspiration from many genres and eras - The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead, Vampire Weekend, John Mayer, and Her’s to name a few old and new. The music that comes from Gray and Wilson has always boasted blood harmonies as well as thoughtful, invoking lyrics. Post high school, Gray and Wilson took different paths. Gray attended Mississippi State University, while Wilson stayed in Birmingham. While at MSU, Tanner became acquainted with Chase Porter (bass) and Zach Corder (drums). Porter, Corder, and Gray would form and play in multiple ensembles while in school; always focusing on creating original music and developing a unique sound. After graduating in 2015, Porter made his way to Nashville to begin a career in a city he loved, while playing in a few bands and many songwriter rounds in his spare time. A couple of years later, Gray and Corder graduated and made their new home in the panhandle of Florida forming yet another group The Graytones which would tour that region heavily over the next two years. Meanwhile, Wilson remained busy at home with his own original music group Smoking With The Bandit. In the Spring of 2019, Gray and Wilson were finally reunited when Gray moved back to Birmingham in pursuit of a more sustainable career. Corder found himself in Music City at the same time, catching up with Porter. Although the four were miles apart, life began to work magic. Gray and Wilson picked up right where they left off; hanging out and writing music, when they felt something special starting to take form. As the songwriting thrived, the two kids from Birmingham would reach out to their Mississippi bred rhythm section. Demo recordings were made in Birmingham and shared north to Nashville with Porter and Corder, who will admit once they heard what Gray and Wilson were doing, there was never a chance they could say no. In September of 2019, Certainly So was formed. In January 2020, through a friend of Corder’s, the group is introduced to producer/engineer Toby Hulbert. Hulbert had spent the last 8 years at Abbey Road in his hometown of London, England, and was currently in Nashville working alongside hitmaker Dave Cobb. Upon hearing Certainly So demos over beers with the guys, Hulbert jumped in as producer. During the April 2020 ramp up of the COVID-19 pandemic, Certainly So and Hulbert gained access to East Avalon Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals through RCA’s Colin Lott; Hulbert and Lott teamed up to produce and engineer four weekend sessions over the next two months, recording what would be the band’s debut album Future Self Only Dreams.
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression
After growing up singing in the church choir, and cultivating her dynamic voice and performance skills in cover bands and stage plays, Joslyn Hampton teamed with her stepfather, Marty Charters (a touring guitarist and songwriter who has shared the stage with legends such as Junior Wells and Van Morrison), to compose a captivating set of tunes and assemble an ace band. Joslyn & The Sweet Compression (including Steve Holloman - keyboards, Smith Donaldson - bass, Rashawn Fleming - drums, Trevin Little - saxophone, and Chase Fleming - trombone and trumpet) combine to deliver a hook-filled mix of funk and soul on their self-titled debut album, released in 2019.
KrisB’s Midnight Railroad
Bird Dog Jubilee
Bird Dog Jubilee is a rock-n-roll group that plays a wide array of different styles and often focuses of improvisation. While Their roots run deep in Atlanta, Georgia the act is picking up steam throughout Southeastern venues and festivals.Their sound is epitomized by their ability to seamlessly mix tunes together while encouraging impromptu collaborations with fellow musicians live on stage. Currently, they are recording their inaugural studio LP that will be released in the coming year, with singles coming out along the way. Each member has an eclectic set of influences, which helps create a greater overall sound. The synergy of each member’s experiences culminates live on stage providing a unique every time the band plays a show.
The 4 Korners
An original live instrumental music band, The 4 Korners play jazz fusion which, they prefer to call “Journey Music,” with a sound influenced by The Chick Corea Electric Band, Yellowjackets, and Tribal Tech, to name a few. The ensemble is composed of Clarence “T-lee” Hill on keys, James “JT” Thompson on bass, Isaac “Ike” Thompson on guitar, and Jerrod “J-rod” Sullivan on drums. They are connected in a variety of ways, and their bonds are strengthened by their shared passion for playing music that creates memorable experiences. The 4 Korners have two albums and two singles that are unique, inspiring, and electrifying to people around the globe, but the true 4K experience is best heard and felt at their live performances! Either way, if you don't know of them, you'll be very pleased once you do !
The Stews
The Stews’ sound takes inspiration from many different genres, styles and moods across a wide range of music. Consisting of four members, Preston Hall (Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar), Blake Dobbs (Rhythm Guitar), Bennett Baugus (Bass Guitar) and Wyatt Griffith (Drums and Backing Vocals), the band formed in the fall of 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. With very diverse influences, the music created by this group of young, creative musicians is enjoyed by people of all walks of life. On April 15th, 2021 The Stews released their first collection of music: a five track, self-titled EP, recorded at F.A.M.E. Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It was well received by listeners, leaving the band excited for what the future has to hold.
Pressing Strings
What’s in a band name? A little or a lot, depending on how deeply you want to go. For Annapolis, Maryland-based trio Pressing Strings (Jordan Sokel: Guitar/Vocals, Nick Welker: Bass, Brandon Bartlett: Drums), the guitar guy is outnumbered by the rhythm section, but it all started back when Sokel, as a kid enamored with Dylan, Marley, Strummer, Simon, and Withers, learned to simultaneously play guitar and sing his favorite songs. Then, guitar in hand, the songwriting bug took hold. Cutting to 2014, with the current line-up firmed up, the band got to work developing its fanbase in the mid-Atlantic with shows from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas, then headed into the studio to record its Owe The Source album, released in 2015. Not easily tagged, genre-wise, the album deftly mixed a thoughtful soulfulness with union hall rock and roll, and they returned to the road to show it all off everywhere from VFWs to festivals. Rejuvenated from the band’s new energy, the band linked up with Grammy-winning producer/engineer Scott Jacoby (Coldplay, Vampire Weekend, Ronnie Spector) and headed to upstate NY to record Most Of Us. Following that album’s 2016 release, the band then toured coast-to-coast with power-pop songstress Rachael Yamagata in 2017, along with its own headlining shows along the Eastern Seaboard. The singles “Brave,” “On The Wire,” and “The Madness” led up to the release of the band’s latest album, Settle In, which was released this spring. The band is now hunkered down writing and demo’ing for its upcoming project.
The Broadcast
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Caitlin Krisko, The Broadcast is a psychedelic soul rock band that is known for their unforgettable, electrified live performances. In 2019, The Broadcast began work on their third studio album Lost My Sight, produced by Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks Band) and Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell (TTB) which was released in 2020. Lost My Sight embodies a new sense of home, comfortably seating The Broadcast in the company of their high energy rock contemporaries. Lead vocalist Caitlin Krisko brings a perfect blend of prowess and vulnerability, tapping into the hearts of her listeners. With a mix of soul, psychedelia, and classic rock arrangements, The Broadcast has shared stages with Mavis Staples, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Wood Brothers, Keller Williams, Marcus King Band, George Porter Jr. (Funky Meters), Betty LaVette, and the late Charles Bradley among others.
Taylor Scott Band
For roots rock artist Taylor Scott, 2020 was a year of reckoning. After a rocky year weathering personal storms, and having live music come to what seemed to be an indefinite pause, Taylor realized the only option was to shift his perspective, and he decided to use the time to reflect and regroup. “I recommitted myself to music and personally had to work through so much. I felt like I was hitting my head against the wall for so long, and something finally just broke open. ‘Some of the new songs dealt with those dark months, charging ahead, because the only way out of it was to go forward through it. The others are so happy and lighthearted, and I haven’t written that way for years. I’m feeling celebratory now, and those songs reflect that.” Taylor Scott is known for his soulful brand of funk-infused rock n’ roll and gut-punching lyricism, punctuated by his prodigious guitar skills. So it made sense to enlist the production expertise of Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) to help him realize the vision for his 2019 scorcher of an album, All We Have. After releasing a live EP in 2020 recorded at legendary San Diego venue The Belly Up, Scott was compelled to get back into the studio to lay down what had transpired musically over the last year. The decision to team up with Berlin again to produce was a no-brainer . The upcoming album is a collection of tunes written over the past few years, throughout all of the unexpected ups and downs, from all different angles. There are a lot of different viewpoints defined in these songs. The first single, “Bleeding Out”, may be a good example of what Taylor calls an angry funk tune. “After being cooped up playing acoustic guitar for so long, I guess I was feeling aggressive musically. I'm really proud of how the band sounds and carries the groove on that track.” Taylor Scott has toured the US, Canada, and Europe as guitarist for blues legend Otis Taylor, and played alongside the likes of Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule) on Otis Taylor’s critically acclaimed release Hey Joe Opus: Red Meat. He sits in as a guest guitarist with Los Lobos on many occasions, and the Taylor Scott Band has provided opening support for bands like Los Lobos, Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Buddy Guy, and many more. As Scott and his crew prepare to unveil new music, they are eager to bring their signature style of joyful energy to the stage. “It feels better then ever to be out on the road now with new music, and a new perspective. See you out there.” – Taylor Scott "Hearing Taylor Scott is like hitting the jackpot. This unassuming kid from Denver is a monster." - Gigcity.CA “Taylor Scott is one of those artists that can do it all. A heartfelt, sincere songwriter with extraordinary guitar chops and a deeply soulful voice.” - Dave Alvin “With their combination of soul, funk, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll, Taylor Scott’s music is gaining a reputation for transcending the limitations of a single genre.” - Elmore Magazine Stay in the loop! Follow Taylor Scott Band on socials and keep an eye out for new music and tour announcements coming your way!
Preparty April 28th 2022
The String Cheese Incident
Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 10 albums, 6 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 20 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music. When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms. Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band. The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.
Umphrey’s McGee: “All Night Wrong” Cover Set With Special Guests
YOU WALKED UP SHAKING IN YOUR BOOTS BUT YOU STOOD TALL AND LEFT A RAGING BULL is the latest achievement in the career of Umphrey’s McGee, adding to 2,200+ gigs and 250 million+ tracks streamed. You-had-to-be-there moments include the band’s performance at the first-ever Bonnaroo and selling more CDs (remember those?) than any other act on the bill. A leader in the live music world, Umphrey’s McGee became the first group to launch its own single-artist streaming service with UMLive.net, which houses recordings of every gig since 2005. The service has since grown and now lives on through Nugs.net, which is used by the likes of Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and more. Beyond intimate backstage encounters and ski trips with their most diehard fans, Umphrey’s McGee instituted the groundbreaking “Headphones & Snowcones” program, granting fans access to professional headphones and a soundboard-quality mix to listen wirelessly at shows. At their UMBowl, they empowered the audience to vote on the setlist in real-time and choose favorite improv themes via text message. In 2017, they stepped into another realm altogether by integrating themselves into the VR Platform Endless Riff. The wonders, it seems, never cease. From their initial bar gigs in 1998 to repeatedly playing three-night runs to packed crowds at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the group has simultaneously remained intensely committed to their fans.
Spafford
Spafford is remarkable for their mastery of the art of anticipation, seamless transitions, intoxicating crescendos, and sublime peaks. Their off-the-cuff extended jams create an unpredictable and unforgettable musical experience. By listening to each other and communicating through private signals in sound, together on stage the band weaves a live sonic tapestry that is a perfect blend of complex compositions, beautiful songwriting, and extended improvisation. The band’s rousing energy is matched by Brian, Jordan, Red, and Nick’s outstanding talent, versatility of playing styles, and extensive catalogue of original music and innovative covers. In their ten years together, the band has solidified itself among the most creative and hard-traveled bands on the contemporary jam scene. Each Spafford show is a sensory expedition of extended jams—an interplay of lights, tones, cascading melodies, and balance that carries a ceaselessly-dancing crowd through the night. There is so much to hear, to feel, to love in what happens between the guys on stage, within the crowd, and between the band and its fans.